What are abdominal cramps? Abdominal cramps are the sensation of discomfort due to spasm of muscles within the abdomen. Typically it feels like a dull ache that may be come and go as if a muscle is contracting very forcefully and then relaxes only to contract again. At times this can be painful but often a person will describe it as a cramping pain. Abdominal cramps are also sometimes called stomach cramps when the abdomen is incorrectly referred to as the stomach. Although abdominal cramps are thought to be muscular in origin, the term is also used to describe various other sensations in the abdomen that may not be clearly labeled as pain. Furthermore it is often assumed that abdominal cramps arise from the bowels only but can involve any part of the gut and may also arise from non-digestive organs. As with any sensation, the exact cause is not always easy to identify without considering other symptoms. Causes of Abdominal Cramps Most abdominal cramps are a result of strong muscle contractions. The wall of the gut is laden with tiny muscles that contract and relax in a rhythmic manner. This is known as peristalsis and its function is to … Continue reading Abdominal Cramps – Causes of Spasms in the Abdomen